Today we’d like to introduce you to Nico Fricchione.
Hi Nico, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In honesty, I didn’t work for a real estate company before starting OneTen REI, so when I started, there really wasn’t a playbook to follow. In a lot of ways, I learned by doing. I purchased the first property that I felt met the fundamental criteria for strong retail investments, and with that acquisition, I was able to secure my first restaurant tenant.
I was fortunate to have mentors and family who supported the entrepreneurial path and were willing to share their experiences (both good and bad). Their guidance really helped me to avoid some mistakes, but a majority of what I learned came from being in the trenches and needing to figure it out firsthand.
As I continued to grow OneTen REI, I began focusing on acquiring properties that fit our criteria and building strong relationships with tenants, brokers, vendors, and lenders. These relationships have played a major role in helping put the right deals together while continuing to grow.
In the beginning, I started the business in reverse. Early on, we acquired properties first and then worked to secure tenants afterward. Fortunately, that approach worked, but I knew it carried its fair share of risk. Now, our strategy has evolved. We spend more time understanding the tenant and their needs before pursuing a development opportunity. Since we focus on the tenant needs and building a strong relationship, we’re able to create projects that are more successful for our company and for the businesses we serve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting and growing a business comes with challenges at every stage. Every project we work on presents a new obstacle, whether it be construction, entitlement, market conditions, or simply things not going according to plan.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the years, and while it’s never enjoyable, these are the experiences I have learned from the most. The key is being disciplined enough to recover, adapt, and keep moving forward – every problem always has a solution. I’ve always tried to take a more conservative approach so that when problems arise, we can work through them and find a solution.
Being a developer, no project is ever perfect, and rarely is there a day that goes exactly as planned. Success often comes down to staying persistent, being flexible, and finding a path forward when those obstacles inevitably appear.
You can do anything you want as an entrepreneur, but you can’t do it alone. Having the right team of people you trust is critical to navigating challenges and achieving success long-term.
We’ve been impressed with OneTen Real Estate Investments, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
OneTen REI is a commercial real estate acquisition and development company focused on helping growing businesses expand in different markets. We work with retailers, restaurants, hospitality operators, automotive users, and other businesses that need real estate solutions.
We’re best known for our build-to-suit development approach. We work alongside our clients to identify the right location, develop or redevelop the property, and create a building that supports their operational needs and long-term growth.
Construction costs, market conditions, and timelines are constantly changing, so we spend a lot of time looking for ways to deliver properties more efficiently while still maintaining quality. We challenge ourselves and all of our partners to think outside of the box because there is always more than one way to solve a problem.
Whether we are working with a local operator or a national brand, our goal is to always be a trusted partner throughout the process and make what can be a complicated undertaking as seamless as possible.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We work with retailers, restaurant operators, franchisees, and corporate brands looking to expand their footprint, whether it’s a single location or a multi-unit rollout across a regional or national scale.
Our main goal is to simplify what can be a complex process and help growing brands scale more efficiently.
For any businesses considering expansion, they can reach out to us early in the process. The earlier we are involved, the more value we can provide in identifying the right opportunities, avoiding potential pitfalls, and creating a strategy to support their growth initiatives.
We’re always interested in building relationships in the community and sharing our passion for creating successful projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onetenrei.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onetenrei
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onetenrei
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oneten-rei
